When travelling in PH cars, write down the license number and – if possible – ask the driver for name, then call a friend on your cell and relay info, if not possible, at least write the info on paper. Letting the driver and passengers in the car see and know, that you have relayed a name, license plate and details to a friend, keeps you safe(r).

Try not to sit in middle of backseat, keep an easy way out of the car and check how door opens.

Monitor and observe actions of driver and passengers, if anything suspicious happens, ask to stop in any safe area, such as in front of a shop, lit area, gas station, etc. and leave immediately. Also have your phone in hand and establish contact to your home base and stay connected until you are safe; keep a running commentary on the phone about what is happening and describe suspicious persons.

Try to establish “friendly” known drivers, know their names/addresses and leave the info with whom you are travelling home/with friend, and make sure the drivers know that there is always somebody who knows with whom you are travelling and what your destination and timing is.

Don’t go to fetes alone, have a driver and a group or stay home.

Designate a driver when partying, don’t accept rides or drive with a drunk driver.

When waiting for car/taxi stay aware of surroundings, stay away from curb if possible, watch approaching cars carefully, look at driver/passengers first before entering car.

Plan ahead, know where and when you are going and have your transport organized. Check websites about reliable transport and service providers or get picked up by a marked hotel bus.

While travelling abroad, never discuss travel plans/details and domestic arrangements with anybody in airports, buses, taxis etc. Criminals many times stalk travellers and find out how long their homes will be empty and where they live. Just a glimpse on your luggage tag can give a robber/burglar enough information for his next break-in.

Use covered luggage tags and never carry any travel documents so details are visible to others.

When leaving your hotel room always keep all valuables and documents on you, leave the TV sound on and the don’t disturb sign outside to deter burglars.

AWARENESS IN YOUR CAR

Always lock and close all doors and windows first when you get into your car.

Ensure that all keys are accounted for regularly.

Never pick up hitchhikers.

Place valuables on floor NOT on seat.

When stopped – observe, look around to see who’s watching you, e.g. people sitting in cars or vans.

Park in secured well lit areas when possible, ideally with clear lines of sight of your destination/other people, shops, etc. and clear view around your vehicle.

Don’t park sandwiched between vans/trucks.

Always try to park in backwards so you can drive away faster and easier.

When approaching car keep keys in hand to open doors quickly and check around car for potential people hiding, lurking in area, Then lock all doors / windows immediately.

Don’t drive with windows open, unlocked, make sure all doors, trunk etc are always locked, even when waiting/parking.

Keep valuable out of car (ideally) when in car out of sight (keep glove box empty/open to show potential thieves there is nothing to steal), best is to lock valuables in trunk or leave them home.

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your loveremember me, for you are good, O LORD.

Psalm 25:7 NIV

Note where you parked your car, walkingaround trying to find your car makes you look like a VICTIM.

When you approach your car have the keys out and ready, fumbling in your purse en route to the car or at the door provides a would-be assailant the opportunity to approach you.

If you are in a car garage, walk in centre of aisle away from cars.

If you are confronted in car park in your car – honk your horn, if walking – run in opposite direction, do anything to draw attention – you do not want to be taken from the scene. One of the only situations where fighting for your life might be necessary and advisable, is when the criminal wants to take you away from your present location. Once you are into the car of a kidnapper or pulled away from a safe area, your risks for serious injury and death increase exponentially. Running away is usually the safest way to escape injury/robbery, if that’s not possible give up your valuables – but fight to survive if the criminal(s) want to take you away from the scene

Keep a cell phone charged and in your car. If you do not have a cell phone, make sure that you have a calling card or change for a public phone.

If your car runs out of gas or breaks down, turn your head lamps on and raise the hood of your car. If you have a cell phone, stay in the car and make your calls with locked doors/windows. If you have to pull over on the street, try to pull over close to a safe area, open shop, restaurant, building with guard, stay in the car and make your calls. If someone stops to offer help, slip them change through a crack in the window and ask them to call the police or nearest service station or your roadside assistance provider.

Avoid leaving personal objects in open view.

Take pull-out radios with you. They can be easily stolen, even if you lock them in your trunk. If your radio is not a pull-out model, consider purchasing a fake panel to cover the radio.

God is present in the company of the righteous…

Psalm 14:5 NKJV

Be aware of anyone in the vicinity of your car in a parking lot. If a van has parked next to your car, enter your car from the other side.

If you discover you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or open business. Honk your horn repeatedly until you attract attention. DO NOT DRIVE HOME.

If someone signals from another car that something is wrong with your car, drive to the nearest service station. Do not stop to check your car until the other car has driven away.

Should another car try to force you to the side of the road, do not allow it. If you have to drive through areas not designated for cars, do it, but do not stop your car. Get the other car’s license number and drive directly to the police station to report it.

If you feel unsafe or suspicious while driving, turn off, into a safe place (police station, supermarket/bank parking lot) and don’t stop, even when you get bumped in an accident. Signal to the other driver to follow you to nearest police station, gas station, safe place. If “Police” in an unmarked vehicle wants to stop you, drive to the nearest police station.

When you are driving to the “safe” area in above situations, turn the emergency lights on and toot the horn to attract attention.

Never leave your keys to your home with the car keys when your car is left in a parking lot or at a service station.

Upon your arrival home, keep the headlights on until the garage door/gate is closed behind you.

If you are driving someone home, wait until they have entered the house and signalled for you to leave. Before they leave your car, establish a signal other than waving. For example, if an assailant is waiting inside, he will expect them to wave to you. If they do this rather than, say, switching the lights on and off, then you will know to call for help.

Most car-jackings happen in neighbourhoods, in places with a high trust level for the driver. In most cases the assailants wait in ambush when you leave your car to open a gate/door. Keep your awareness up, as you are driving, notice the cars around you. Be alert for set-ups, like being blocked on either side or from the front and the rear.

Travel in the middle lanes. Avoid driving in the far right-hand/left-hand lane so as not to be easily approached at stop lights.

If you are stopped at an intersection or anywhere else, and you notice someone unfamiliar approaching, honk the horn to attract attention and manoeuvre out of there as quickly and safely as possible.

For the LORD gives wisdom,and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.7He holds victory in store for the upright,

He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,8for He guards the course of the justand protects the way of his faithful ones.

9Then you will understand what is right and justand fair—every good path.10For wisdom will enter your heartand knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11Discretion will protect you,and understanding will guard you.12Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,

Proverbs 2:6 ff NIV

If panhandlers/hustlers approach your car make a clear and determined hand signal that you do not want their services, e.g. windows cleaned, etc. and keep windows closed and doors locked.

When stopping behind another car, always stop far enough away so that you can see their rear tires touching the ground. This will give you enough room to manoeuvre your car out in an emergency.

Carjacking/Kidnapping: If anyone demands your car from you, try to drive away or run, if you are forced in a car, try to crash the car close to other people/businesses, drive erratically and try to attract the attention of police, stop in the middle of an intersection or busy road where a lot of witnesses are present, If none of the above is possible, cooperate and try to set yourself up for a later escape.